Title 49—Transportation--Volume 1
PART 271—RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM
§ 271.1   Purpose and scope.
(a) The purpose of this part is to improve railroad safety through structured, proactive processes and procedures developed and implemented by railroads. Each railroad subject to this part must establish a Risk Reduction Program (RRP) that systematically evaluates railroad safety hazards on its system and manages the risks associated with those hazards to reduce the number and rates of railroad accidents/incidents, injuries, and fatalities.
(b) This part prescribes minimum Federal safety standards for the preparation, adoption, and implementation of RRPs. This part does not restrict railroads from adopting and enforcing additional or more stringent requirements not inconsistent with this part.
(c) This part prescribes the protection of information a railroad compiles or collects solely for the purpose of planning, implementing, or evaluating an RRP under this part.
(d) This part does not require an RRP to address hazards completely unrelated to railroad safety and that fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of another Federal agency. Additionally, an RRP required by this part is not intended to address and should not address the safety of employees while performing inspections, tests, and maintenance, except where FRA has already addressed workplace safety issues, such as blue signal protection in part 218 of this chapter. FRA does not intend to approve any specific portion of an RRP plan that relates exclusively to employee working conditions.
§ 271.3   Application.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, this part applies to—
(1) Class I railroads;
(2) Railroads determined to have inadequate safety performance pursuant to § 271.13; and
(3) Railroads that voluntarily comply with the requirements of this part pursuant to § 271.15.
(b) This part does not apply to:
(1) Rapid transit operations in an urban area that are not connected to the general railroad system of transportation;
(2) Tourist, scenic, historic, or excursion operations, whether on or off the general railroad system of transportation;
(3) Operation of private cars, including business/office cars and circus trains;
(4) Railroads that operate only on track inside an installation that is not part of the general railroad system of transportation ( i.e., plant railroads, as defined in § 271.5); and
(5) Commuter or intercity passenger railroads that are subject to Federal system safety program requirements contained in part 270 of this chapter.
(c) If a railroad contracts out significant portions of its operations, the contractor and the contractor's employees performing the railroad's operations shall be considered directly affected employees for purposes of this part.
§ 271.5   Definitions.
As used in this part only—
Accident/incident means an “accident/incident” as defined in § 225.5 of this chapter.
Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration or the Administrator's delegate.
Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C 3 RS) means an FRA-sponsored voluntary program designed to improve the safety of railroad operations by allowing railroad employees to confidentially report currently unreported or underreported unsafe events.
FRA means the Federal Railroad Administration.
FRA Associate Administrator means the Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer, Federal Railroad Administration, or the Associate Administrator's delegate.
Fully implemented means that all elements of an RRP as described in the RRP plan are established and applied to the safety management of the railroad.
Hazard means any real or potential condition that can cause injury, illness, or death; damage to or loss of a system, equipment, or property; or damage to the environment.
Inadequate safety performance means safety performance that FRA has determined to be inadequate based on the criteria described in § 271.13.
Mitigation strategy means an action or program intended to reduce or eliminate the risk associated with a hazard.
Person means an entity of any type covered under 49 U.S.C. 21301, including, but not limited to, the following: A railroad; a manager, supervisor, official, or other employee or agent of a railroad; any owner, manufacturer, lessor, or lessee of railroad equipment, track, or facilities; any independent contractor or subcontractor providing goods or services to a railroad; any employee of such owner, manufacturer, lessor, lessee, or independent contractor or subcontractor.
Pilot project means a limited scope project used to determine whether quantitative evaluation and analysis suggests that a particular system or mitigation strategy has potential to succeed on a full-scale basis.
Plant railroad means a plant or installation that owns or leases a locomotive, uses that locomotive to switch cars throughout the plant or installation, and is moving goods solely for use in the facility's own industrial processes. The plant or installation could include track immediately adjacent to the plant or installation if the plant railroad leases the track from the general system railroad and the lease provides for (and actual practice entails) the exclusive use of that trackage by the plant railroad and the general system railroad for purposes of moving only cars shipped to or from the plant. A plant or installation that operates a locomotive to switch or move cars for other entities, even if solely within the confines of the plant or installation, rather than for its own purposes or industrial processes, is not considered a plant railroad because the performance of such activity makes the operation part of the general railroad system of transportation.
Positive train control system means a system designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, overspeed derailments, incursions into established work zone limits, and the movement of a train through a switch left in the wrong position, as described in subpart I of part 236 of this chapter.
Railroad means:
(1) Any form of non-highway ground transportation that runs on rails or electromagnetic guideways, including:
(i) Commuter or other short-haul rail passenger service in a metropolitan or suburban area and commuter railroad service that was operated by the Consolidated Rail Corporation on January 1, 1979; and
(ii) High speed ground transportation systems that connect metropolitan areas, without regard to whether those systems use new technologies not associated with traditional railroads, but does not include rapid transit operations in an urban area that are not connected to the general railroad system of transportation; and
(2) A person or organization that provides railroad transportation, whether directly or by contracting out operation of the railroad to another person.
Risk means the combination of the probability (or frequency of occurrence) and the consequence (or severity) of a hazard.
Risk-based HMP means a risk-based hazard management program (HMP).
Risk reduction means the formal, top-down, organization-wide approach to managing safety risk and assuring the effectiveness of safety risk mitigation strategies. It includes systematic procedures, practices, and policies for the management of safety risk.
RRP means a Risk Reduction Program.
RRP plan means a Risk Reduction Program plan.
Safety culture means the shared values, actions, and behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to safety over competing goals and demands.
Safety performance means a realized or actual safety accomplishment relative to stated safety objectives.
Safety outreach means the communication of safety information to support the implementation of an RRP throughout a railroad.
Senior management means personnel at the highest level of a railroad's management who are responsible for making major policy decisions and long-term business plans regarding the operation of the railroad.
STB means the Surface Transportation Board of the United States.
Tourist, scenic, historic, or excursion operations means railroad operations that carry passengers, often using antiquated equipment, with the conveyance of the passengers to a particular destination not being the principal purpose. Train movements of new passenger equipment for demonstration purposes are not tourist, scenic, historic, or excursion operations.
§ 271.7   [Reserved]
§ 271.9   Penalties and responsibility for compliance.
(a) Any person that violates any requirement of this part or causes the violation of any such requirement is subject to a civil penalty of at least the minimum civil monetary penalty and not more than the ordinary maximum civil monetary penalty per violation, except that: Penalties may be assessed against individuals only for willful violations, and, where a grossly negligent violation or a pattern of repeated violations has created an imminent hazard of death or injury to individuals, or has caused death or injury, a penalty not to exceed the aggravated maximum civil monetary penalty per violation may be assessed. See 49 CFR part 209, appendix A. Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. Any person that knowingly and willfully falsifies a record or report required by this part may be subject to criminal penalties under 49 U.S.C. 21311. See FRA's website at www.fra.dot.gov for a statement of agency civil penalty policy.
(b) Although the requirements of this part are stated in terms of the duty of a railroad, when any person, including a contractor or subcontractor to a railroad, performs any function covered by this part, that person (whether or not a railroad) shall perform that function in accordance with this part.
§ 271.11   Discovery and admission as evidence of certain information.
(a) Protected information. Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, any information compiled or collected after February 17, 2021 solely for the purpose of planning, implementing, or evaluating a risk reduction program under this part shall not be subject to discovery, admitted into evidence, or considered for other purposes in a Federal or State court proceeding for damages involving personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage. For purposes of this section:
(1) “Information” includes plans, reports, documents, surveys, schedules, lists, or data, and specifically includes a railroad's analysis of its safety risks under § 271.103(b) and a railroad's statement of mitigation measures under § 271.103(c);
(2) “Solely” means that a railroad originally compiled or collected the information for the exclusive purpose of planning, implementing, or evaluating a risk reduction program under this part. Information compiled or collected for any other purpose is not protected, even if the railroad also uses that information for a risk reduction program. “Solely” also means a railroad continues to use that information only for its risk reduction program. If a railroad subsequently uses for any other purpose information that was initially compiled or collected for a risk reduction program, this section does not protect that information to the extent that it is used for the non-risk reduction program purpose. The use of that information within the railroad's risk reduction program, however, remains protected. This section does not protect information that is required to be compiled or collected pursuant to any other provision of law or regulation; and
(3) A railroad may include a Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C 3 RS) program in a risk reduction program established under this part. For Federal or State court proceedings described by this paragraph (a) that are initiated after March 4, 2021, the information protected by this paragraph (a) includes C 3 RS information a railroad includes in its risk reduction program, even if the railroad compiled or collected the C 3 RS information on or before February 17, 2021, for purposes other than planning, implementing, or evaluating a risk reduction program under this part.
(b) Non-protected information. This section does not affect the discovery, admissibility, or consideration for other purposes in a Federal or State court proceeding for damages involving personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage of information compiled or collected for a purpose other than that specifically identified in paragraph (a) of this section. Such information shall continue to be discoverable, admissible, or considered for other purposes in a Federal or State court proceeding for damages involving personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage if it was discoverable, admissible, or considered for other purposes in a Federal or State court proceeding for damages involving personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage on or before February 17, 2021. Specifically, the types of information not affected by this section include:
(1) Information compiled or collected on or before February 17, 2021;
(2) Information compiled or collected on or before February 17, 2021 and that continues to be compiled or collected, even if used to plan, implement, or evaluate a railroad's risk reduction program; or
(3) Information that is compiled or collected after February 17, 2021, and is compiled or collected for a purpose other than that identified in paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) Information protected by other law or regulation. Nothing in this section shall affect or abridge in any way any other protection of information provided by another provision of law or regulation. Any such provision of law or regulation applies independently of the protections provided by this section.
(d) Preemption. To the extent that State discovery rules and sunshine laws would require disclosure of information protected by this section in a Federal or State court proceeding for damages involving personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage, those rules and laws are preempted.
(e) Enforcement. This section does not apply to civil or criminal law enforcement proceedings.
§ 271.13   Determination of inadequate safety performance.
(a) General. (1) This section describes FRA's methodology for determining which railroads shall establish an RRP because they have inadequate safety performance. FRA's methodology consists of a two-phase annual analysis, comprised of both a quantitative analysis and qualitative assessment. FRA's methodology analyzes all railroads except for:
(i) Railroads excluded from this part under § 271.3(b);
(ii) Railroads already required to comply with this part;
(iii) Railroads that are voluntarily complying with this part under § 271.15; and
(iv) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, new start-up railroads that have reported accident/incident data to FRA pursuant to part 225 of this chapter for fewer than three years.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of this section, railroads formed through amalgamation of operations (for example, railroads formed through consolidations, mergers, or acquisitions of control) are included in the analysis using the combined data of the pre-amalgamation entities.
(b) Quantitative analysis —(1) Methodology. The first phase of FRA's annual analysis is a statistically-based quantitative analysis of each railroad within the scope of the analysis, using historical safety data maintained by FRA for the three most recent full calendar years. The purpose of the quantitative analysis is to make a threshold identification of railroads that possibly have inadequate safety performance. The quantitative analysis consists of a preliminary selection and a rate-based analysis. Only railroads that the preliminary selection identifies will proceed to the rate-based analysis.
(i) The preliminary selection calculates the following values:
(A) A railroad's number of worker on duty fatalities during the 3-year period, calculated using “Worker on Duty-Railroad Employee (Class A),” “Worker on Duty-Contractor (Class F),” and “Worker on Duty-Volunteer (Class H)” information reported on FRA Form 6180.55 pursuant to FRA's accident/incident reporting regulations in part 225 of this chapter; and
(B) The sum total of a railroad's number of worker on duty injuries/illnesses during the 3-year period (calculated using “Worker on Duty-Railroad Employee (Class A),” “Worker on Duty-Contractor (Class F),” and “Worker on Duty-Volunteer (Class H)” information reported on FRA Form 6180.55 pursuant to FRA's accident/incident reporting regulations in part 225 of this chapter) added to the number of rail equipment accidents/incidents during the 3-year period (calculated using information reported on FRA Forms 6180.54 and 6180.55 pursuant to FRA's accident/incident reporting regulations in part 225 of this chapter).
(ii) For railroads that the preliminary selection identifies, as described in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section, the rate-based analysis calculates the following three factors:
(A) A railroad's number of worker on duty fatalities during the 3-year period, calculated using “Worker on Duty-Railroad Employee (Class A),” “Worker on Duty-Contractor (Class F),” and “Worker on Duty-Volunteer (Class H)” information reported on FRA Form 6180.55 pursuant to FRA's accident/incident reporting regulations in part 225 of this chapter;
(B) A railroad's on duty employee injury/illness rate, calculated using “Worker on Duty-Railroad Employee (Class A),” “Worker on Duty-Contractor (Class F),” and “Worker on Duty-Volunteer (Class H)” information reported on FRA Form 6180.55 pursuant to FRA's accident/incident reporting regulations in part 225 of this chapter. FRA calculates this rate using the following formula, which gives the rate of employee injuries/illnesses per 200,000 employee hours over a 3-year period:
(C) A railroad's rail equipment accident/incident rate, calculated using information reported on FRA Forms 6180.54 and 6180.55 pursuant to FRA's accident/incident reporting regulations in part 225 of this chapter. FRA calculates this rate using the following formula, which gives the rate of rail equipment accidents/incidents per 1,000,000 train miles operated over a 3-year period:
(2) Identification. (i) The preliminary selection phase of the quantitative analysis identifies railroads for further analysis in the rate-based analysis if at least one of the following two conditions exist within the scope and timeframe of the analysis:
(A) A railroad has one or more worker on duty fatalities as calculated in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(A) of this section; or
(B) A railroad is at or above the 90th percentile for the sum total of worker on duty injuries/illnesses and rail equipment accidents/incidents, as calculated in paragraph (b)(1)(i)(B) of this section.
(ii) For railroads identified in the preliminary selection, the rate-based analysis identifies railroads as possibly having inadequate safety performance if at least one of the following two conditions exists within the scope and time frame of the analysis:
(A) A railroad has one or more worker on duty fatalities as calculated in paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A) of this section; or
(B) A railroad is at or above the 90th percentile of railroads identified in the preliminary selection in either of the factors described in paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(B) and (C) of this section.
(c) Qualitative assessment. The second phase of FRA's analysis is a qualitative assessment of railroads identified in the quantitative analysis as possibly having inadequate safety performance.
(1) Notification and railroad/employee comment. FRA will notify a railroad in writing if FRA conducts a qualitative assessment of the railroad because the quantitative analysis identified the railroad as possibly having inadequate safety performance.
(i) No later than 15 days after receiving FRA's written notice, a railroad shall notify its employees of FRA's written notice. The railroad shall post this employee notification at all locations where the railroad reasonably expects its employees to report and to have an opportunity to observe the notice. The railroad shall post and continuously display the employee notification until 45 days after FRA's initial written notice. The railroad shall notify employees who do not have a regular on-duty point for reporting to work by other means, under the railroad's standard practice for communicating with employees. The notification shall inform railroad employees that they may confidentially submit comments to FRA regarding the railroad's safety performance and that employees shall file any such comments with the FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 no later than 45 days following FRA's initial written notice.
(ii) No later than 45 days after receiving FRA's written notice, a railroad may provide FRA documentation supporting any claims that the railroad does not have inadequate safety performance.
(2) Methodology. No later than 90 days after providing the initial notice to a railroad identified by the quantitative analysis, FRA will conduct a qualitative assessment of the identified railroad and make a final determination regarding whether it has inadequate safety performance. The qualitative assessment will consider any documentation provided by the railroad, comments submitted by railroad employees, and any other pertinent information, including information regarding violations FRA has issued against the railroad.
(d) Final notification. For each railroad that FRA provides an initial written notice, FRA will provide a final written notice informing the railroad whether or not FRA determines that the railroad has demonstrated inadequate safety performance.
(e) Compliance. (1) A railroad with inadequate safety performance shall develop and implement an RRP meeting the requirements of this part and submit an RRP plan meeting the filing and timing requirements in § 271.301.
(2) A railroad with inadequate safety performance must comply with the requirements of this part for a minimum of five years from the date FRA approves the railroad's RRP plan under subpart D of this part.
(f) Petition for reconsideration of inadequate safety performance determination. (1) To appeal a final written notice under paragraph (d) of this section, a railroad shall file a petition for reconsideration with the Administrator. To file a petition, the railroad must:
(i) File the petition no later than 30 days after the date the railroad receives FRA's final written notice under paragraph (d) of this section informing the railroad that it has demonstrated inadequate safety performance; and
(ii) File the petition in accordance with the procedures in §§ 211.7(b)(1) and 211.57 of this chapter.
(2) FRA will process petitions under § 211.59 of this chapter.
(g) Petition to discontinue compliance with this part. After the five-year compliance period, the railroad may petition FRA for approval to discontinue compliance with this part. A railroad shall file a petition, and FRA will process the petition, under the procedures contained in § 211.41 of this chapter. When processing a petition, FRA will reevaluate the railroad's safety performance to determine whether the railroad's RRP has resulted in significant and sustained safety improvements, and whether these measured improvements are likely sustainable in the long term. FRA's evaluation will include a quantitative analysis as described in paragraph (b) of this section, although FRA will not automatically grant a petition to discontinue compliance if the quantitative analysis results do not meet the identification thresholds described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. For all petitions under this section, FRA will also examine qualitative factors and review information from FRA RRP audits and other relevant sources.
§ 271.15   Voluntary compliance.
(a) General. A railroad not otherwise subject to this part may voluntarily comply by establishing and fully implementing an RRP meeting the requirements of this part. A voluntary RRP shall be supported by an RRP plan that has been submitted to FRA for approval pursuant to the requirements of subpart D of this part. After FRA has approved its RRP plan, a voluntarily-compliant railroad that fails to comply with the requirements of this part is subject to civil penalties or other FRA enforcement action.
(b) Duration. A voluntarily-compliant railroad will be required to comply with the requirements of this part for a minimum period of five years, running from the date on which FRA approves the railroad's plan pursuant to subpart D of this part.
(c) Notification to discontinue compliance. After this five-year period, a voluntarily-compliant railroad may discontinue compliance with this part by providing written notice to the FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
(d) Discovery and admission as evidence of certain information. The information protection provisions in § 271.11 apply to information compiled or collected pursuant to a voluntary RRP that is conducted in accordance with the requirements of this part and as provided by § 271.301(b)(4)(ii).
§ 271.101   Risk reduction programs.
(a) Program required. Each railroad shall establish and fully implement an RRP meeting the requirements of this part. An RRP shall systematically evaluate railroad safety hazards on a railroad's system and manage the resulting risks to reduce the number and rates of railroad accidents/incidents, injuries, and fatalities. An RRP is an ongoing program that supports continuous safety improvement. A railroad shall design its RRP so that it promotes and supports a positive safety culture at the railroad. An RRP shall include the following:
(1) A risk-based hazard management program, as described in § 271.103;
(2) A safety performance evaluation component, as described in § 271.105;
(3) A safety outreach component, as described in § 271.107;
(4) A technology analysis and technology implementation plan, as described in § 271.109;
(5) RRP implementation and support training, as described in § 271.111;
(6) Involvement of railroad employees in the establishment and implementation of an RRP, as described in § 271.113; and
(7) An FRMP as described in § 271.607.
(b) RRP plans. A railroad's RRP shall be supported by an FRA-approved RRP plan meeting the requirements of subpart C of this part.
(c) Host railroads and system safety programs. (1) If a railroad subject to this part (RRP railroad) hosts passenger train service for a railroad subject to the system safety program requirements in part 270 of this title (system safety program (SSP) railroad), the RRP railroad shall communicate with the SSP railroad to coordinate the portions of the system safety program applicable to the RRP railroad hosting the passenger train service.
(2) The RRP railroad shall incorporate its communication and coordination with the SSP railroad into its own RRP.
(d) Persons that perform or utilize significant safety-related services. Under § 271.205(a)(3), a railroad's RRP plan shall identify persons that enter into a contractual relationship with the railroad to either perform significant safety-related services on the railroad's behalf or to utilize significant safety-related services provided by the railroad for railroad operations purposes. For example, a railroad's RRP plan shall identify entities such as host railroads, contract operators, shared track/corridor operators, or other contractors utilizing or performing significant safety-related services. A railroad shall identify such persons even if the persons are not required to comply with this part ( e.g., a railroad shall identify a tourist railroad that operates over the railroad's track even though the tourist railroad is exempt from this rule under § 271.3(b)(2)). A railroad shall ensure persons performing or utilizing significant safety-related services support and participate in its RRP.
§ 271.103   Risk-based hazard management program.
(a) General. (1) An RRP shall include an integrated, system-wide, and ongoing risk-based HMP that proactively identifies hazards and mitigates the risks resulting from those hazards.
(2) A risk-based HMP shall be fully implemented ( i.e., activities initiated) within 36 months after FRA approves a railroad's RRP plan pursuant to § 271.301(d).
(b) Risk-based hazard analysis. As part of its risk-based HMP, a railroad shall conduct a risk-based hazard analysis that addresses, at a minimum, the following aspects of a railroad's system: Infrastructure; equipment; employee levels and work schedules; operating rules and practices; management structure; employee training; and other areas impacting railroad safety that are not covered by railroad safety laws or regulations or other Federal laws or regulations. A railroad shall make the results of its risk-based hazard analysis available to FRA upon request. At a minimum, a risk-based hazard analysis shall:
(1) Identify hazards by analyzing:
(i) Aspects of the railroad's system, including any operational changes, system extensions, or system modifications; and
(ii) Accidents/incidents, injuries, fatalities, and other known indicators of hazards;
(2) Calculate risk by determining and analyzing the likelihood and severity of potential events associated with identified risk-based hazards; and
(3) Compare and prioritize the identified risks for mitigation purposes.
(c) Mitigation strategies. (1) As part of its risk-based HMP, a railroad shall design and implement mitigation strategies that improve safety by:
(i) Mitigating or eliminating aspects of a railroad's system that increase risks identified in the risk-based hazard analysis; and
(ii) Enhancing aspects of a railroad's system that decrease risks identified in the risk-based hazard analysis.
(2) A railroad may use pilot projects, including pilot projects conducted by other railroads, to determine whether quantitative data suggests that a particular mitigation strategy has potential to succeed on a full-scale basis.
§ 271.105   Safety performance evaluation.
(a) General. As part of its RRP, a railroad shall develop and maintain ongoing processes and systems for evaluating the safety performance of its system and identifying and analyzing its safety culture. A railroad's safety performance evaluation shall consist of both a safety monitoring and a safety assessment component.
(b) Safety monitoring. A railroad shall monitor the safety performance of its system by, at a minimum, establishing processes and systems to acquire safety data and information from the following sources:
(1) Continuous monitoring of operational processes and systems (including any operational changes, system extensions, or system modifications);
(2) Periodic monitoring of the operational environment to detect changes that may generate new hazards;
(3) Investigations of accidents/incidents, injuries, fatalities, and other known indicators of hazards;
(4) Investigations of reports regarding potential non-compliance with Federal railroad safety laws or regulations, railroad operating rules and practices, or mitigation strategies established by the railroad; and
(5) A reporting system through which employees can report safety concerns (including, but not limited to, hazards, issues, occurrences, and incidents) and propose safety solutions and improvements.
(c) Safety assessment. To assess the need for changes to a railroad's mitigation strategies or overall RRP, a railroad shall establish processes to analyze the data and information collected pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section (as well as any other relevant data regarding its operations, products, and services). At a minimum, this assessment shall:
(1) Evaluate the overall effectiveness of the railroad's RRP in reducing the number and rates of railroad accidents/incidents, injuries, and fatalities;
(2) Evaluate the effectiveness of the railroad's RRP in meeting the goals described by its RRP plan (see § 271.203(c));
(3) Evaluate the effectiveness of risk mitigations in reducing the risk associated with an identified hazard. Any hazards associated with ineffective mitigation strategies shall be reevaluated through the railroad's risk-based HMP, as described in § 271.103; and
(4) Identify new, potential, or previously unknown hazards, which shall then be evaluated by the railroad's risk-based HMP, as described in § 271.103.
§ 271.107   Safety outreach.
(a) Outreach. An RRP shall include a safety outreach component that communicates RRP safety information to railroad personnel (including contractors) as that information is relevant to their positions. At a minimum, a safety outreach program shall:
(1) Convey safety-critical information;
(2) Explain why RRP-related safety actions are taken; and
(3) Explain why safety procedures are introduced or changed.
(b) Reporting to management. The status of risk-based HMP activities shall be reported to railroad senior management on an ongoing basis.
§ 271.109   Technology analysis and technology implementation plan.
(a) General. As part of its RRP, a Class I railroad shall conduct a technology analysis and develop and adopt a technology implementation plan no later than February 17, 2023. A railroad with inadequate safety performance shall conduct a technology analysis and develop and adopt a technology implementation plan no later than three years after receiving final written notification from FRA to comply with this part, pursuant to § 271.13(d), or no later than February 17, 2023, whichever is later. A railroad that the STB reclassifies or newly classifies as a Class I railroad shall conduct a technology analysis and develop and adopt a technology implementation plan no later than three years following the effective date of the classification or reclassification or no later than April 18, 2023, whichever is later. A voluntarily-compliant railroad shall conduct a technology analysis and develop and adopt a technology implementation plan no later than three years after FRA approves the railroad's RRP plan.
(b) Technology analysis. A technology analysis shall evaluate current, new, or novel technologies that may mitigate or eliminate hazards and the resulting risks identified through the risk-based HMP. The railroad shall analyze the safety impact, feasibility, and costs and benefits of implementing technologies that will mitigate or eliminate hazards and the resulting risks. At a minimum, the technologies a railroad shall consider as part of its technology analysis are: Processor-based technologies, positive train control systems, electronically-controlled pneumatic brakes, rail integrity inspection systems, rail integrity warning systems, switch position monitors and indicators, trespasser prevention technology, and highway-rail grade crossing warning and protection technology.
(c) Technology implementation plan. A railroad shall develop, and periodically update as necessary, a technology implementation plan that contains a prioritized implementation schedule describing the railroad's plan for development, adoption, implementation, maintenance, and use of current, new, or novel technologies on its system over a 10-year period to reduce safety risks identified in the railroad's risk-based HMP.
(d) Positive train control. Except as required by subpart I of part 236 of this chapter, if a railroad decides to implement positive train control systems as part of its technology analysis and implementation plan, the railroad shall set forth and comply with a schedule for implementation of the positive train control system consistent with the deadlines in the Positive Train Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015, Public Law 114-73, 129 Stat. 576-82 (Oct. 29, 2015), and 49 CFR 236.1005(b)(7).
§ 271.111   Implementation and support training.
(a) A railroad shall provide RRP training to each employee, including an employee of any person identified by the railroad's RRP plan pursuant to § 271.205(a)(3) as performing significant safety-related services on the railroad's behalf or utilizing significant safety-related services provided by the railroad, who has significant responsibility for implementing and supporting the railroad's RRP. This training shall help ensure that all personnel with significant responsibility for implementing and supporting the RRP understand the goals of the program, are familiar with the elements of the railroad's program, and have the requisite knowledge and skills to fulfill their responsibilities under the program.
(b) A railroad shall keep a record of training conducted under this section and update that record as necessary. A railroad shall make training records available for inspection and copying upon the request of representatives of FRA or States participating under part 212 of this chapter.
(c) Training under this section may include, but is not limited to, interactive computer-based training, video conferencing, or formal classroom training.
§ 271.113   Involvement of railroad employees.
(a) An RRP shall involve a railroad's directly affected employees in the establishment and implementation of the RRP.
(b) For example, a railroad must have a process for involving directly affected employees when identifying hazards, developing and implementing mitigation strategies, conducting internal annual assessments, or otherwise performing actions required by this part.
§ 271.201   General.
A railroad shall adopt and implement its RRP through a written RRP plan containing the elements described in this subpart and in § 271.609. A railroad's RRP plan shall be approved by FRA according to the requirements contained in subpart D of this part.
§ 271.203   Policy, purpose and scope, and goals.
(a) Policy statement. An RRP plan shall contain a policy statement endorsing the railroad's RRP. This statement shall be signed by the chief official at the railroad ( e.g., chief executive officer).
(b) Purpose and scope. An RRP plan shall contain a statement describing the purpose and scope of the railroad's RRP. This purpose and scope statement shall describe:
(1) The railroad's safety philosophy and safety culture;
(2) How the railroad promotes improvements to its safety culture; and
(3) The roles and responsibilities of railroad personnel (including management) within the railroad's RRP.
(c) Goals. An RRP plan shall contain a statement that defines the specific goals of the RRP and describes clear strategies for reaching those goals. These goals shall be long-term, meaningful, measurable, and focused on the mitigation of risks arising from identified safety hazards.
§ 271.205   System description.
(a) An RRP plan shall contain a description of the characteristics of the railroad's system. At a minimum, the system description shall:
(1) Support the identification of hazards by establishing a basic understanding of the scope of the railroad's system;
(2) Include components briefly describing the railroad's history, operations, scope of service, maintenance, physical plant, and system requirements;
(3) Identify all persons that enter into a contractual relationship with the railroad to either perform significant safety-related services on the railroad's behalf or to utilize significant safety-related services provided by the railroad for railroad operations purposes. For example, a railroad's RRP plan shall identify entities such as host railroads, contract operators, shared track/corridor operators, or other contractors utilizing or performing significant safety-related services. A railroad shall identify such persons even if the persons are not required to comply with this part ( e.g., a railroad shall identify a tourist railroad that operates over the railroad's track even though the tourist railroad is exempt from this part pursuant to § 271.3(b)(2)); and
(4) Describe how the railroad will ensure that any persons identified pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of this section will support and participate in the railroad's RRP. For example, the system description shall describe the extent to which such persons will, as part of the railroad's RRP, assist in identifying hazards, developing and implementing mitigation strategies, conducting internal annual assessments, or otherwise performing actions required by this part.
(b) [Reserved]
§ 271.207   Consultation requirements.
(a) General duty. (1) Each railroad required to establish an RRP under this part shall in good faith consult with, and use its best efforts to reach agreement with, all of its directly affected employees, including any non-profit labor organization representing a class or craft of directly affected employees, on the contents of the RRP plan.
(2) A railroad that consults with a non-profit employee labor organization is considered to have consulted with the directly affected employees represented by that organization. For directly affected employees represented by a non-profit employee labor organization, the primary point of contact shall be either the general chairperson of the non-profit employee labor organization or a non-profit employee labor organization primary point of contact the railroad and the non-profit employee labor organization agree on at the beginning of the consultation process.
(b) Preliminary meeting. A railroad shall have a preliminary meeting with its directly affected employees to discuss how the consultation process will proceed. A railroad is not required to discuss the substance of an RRP plan during this preliminary meeting.
(1) A Class I railroad shall meet no later than October 15, 2020 with its directly affected employees to discuss the consultation process. The Class I railroad shall notify the directly affected employees of this meeting no less than 60 days before it is scheduled.
(2) A railroad determined to have inadequate safety performance shall meet no later than 30 days following FRA's notification with its directly affected employees to discuss the consultation process. The inadequate safety performance railroad shall notify the directly affected employees of this meeting no less than 15 days before it is scheduled.
(3) A railroad that the STB reclassifies or newly classifies as a Class I railroad shall meet with its directly affected employees to discuss the consultation process no later than 30 days following the effective date of the classification or reclassification. The reclassified or newly classified Class I railroad shall notify the directly affected employees of this meeting no less than 15 days before it is scheduled.
(4) A voluntarily-compliant railroad that files a notification with FRA of its intent to file an RRP plan under § 271.301(b)(4)(i) shall meet with its directly affected employees to discuss the consultation process no later than 30 days following the date that the railroad filed the notification. The voluntarily-compliant railroad shall notify the directly affected employees of this meeting no less than 15 days before it is scheduled.
(5) Compliance with the mandatory preliminary meeting requirements of this paragraph (b) does not constitute full compliance with the consultation requirements of this section.
(c) Guidance. Appendix A to this part contains guidance on how a railroad could comply with the requirements of this section.
(d) Railroad consultation statements. A railroad required to submit an RRP plan under § 271.301 shall also submit, together with that plan, a consultation statement that includes the following information:
(1) A detailed description of the process the railroad utilized to consult with its directly affected employees;
(2) If the railroad could not reach agreement with its directly affected employees on the contents of its RRP plan, identification of any known areas of non-agreement and an explanation why it believes agreement was not reached; and
(3) A service list containing the names and contact information for each international/national president of any non-profit employee labor organization representing a class or craft of the railroad's directly affected employees, or each non-profit employee labor organization primary point of contact the railroad and the non-profit employee labor organization agree on at the beginning of the process. The service list must also contain the name and contact information for any directly affected employee who significantly participated in the consultation process independently of a non-profit employee labor organization. When a railroad submits its RRP plan and consultation statement to FRA under § 271.301, it shall also simultaneously send a copy of these documents to all individuals identified in the service list. A railroad may send the documents to the identified individuals via electronic means or other service means reasonably calculated to succeed.
(e) Statements from directly affected employees. (1) If a railroad and its directly affected employees cannot reach agreement on the proposed contents of an RRP plan, the directly affected employees may file a statement explaining their views on the plan on which agreement was not reached with the FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. The FRA Associate Administrator shall consider any such views during the plan review and approval process.
(2) A railroad's directly affected employees have 30 days following the railroad's submission of a proposed RRP plan to submit the statement described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
§ 271.209   Consultation on amendments.
A railroad's RRP plan shall include a description of the process the railroad will use to consult with its directly affected employees on any subsequent substantive amendments to the railroad's RRP plan. The requirements of this section do not apply to non-substantive amendments ( e.g., amendments that update names and addresses of railroad personnel).
§ 271.211   Risk-based hazard management program process.
(a) Risk-based hazard analysis. An RRP plan shall describe the railroad's method for conducting its risk-based hazard analysis pursuant to § 271.103(b). At a minimum, the description shall specify:
(1) The processes the railroad will use to identify hazards and the risks associated with those hazards;
(2) The sources the railroad will use to support the ongoing identification of hazards and the risks associated with those hazards; and
(3) The processes the railroad will use to compare and prioritize identified risks for mitigation purposes.
(b) Mitigation strategies. An RRP plan shall describe the railroad's processes for designing and implementing mitigation strategies pursuant to § 271.103(c). At a minimum, the description shall specify the railroad's processes for:
(1) Identifying and selecting mitigation strategies; and
(2) Monitoring an identified hazard through the mitigation of the risk associated with that hazard.
§ 271.213   Safety performance evaluation process.
An RRP plan shall describe a railroad's processes for identifying and analyzing its safety culture pursuant to § 271.105(a), monitoring safety performance pursuant to § 271.105(b), and conducting safety assessments pursuant to § 271.105(c).
§ 271.215   Safety outreach process.
An RRP plan shall describe a railroad's processes for communicating safety information to railroad personnel and management pursuant to § 271.107.
§ 271.217   Technology implementation plan process.
(a) An RRP plan shall contain a description of the railroad's processes for:
(1) Conducting a technology analysis pursuant to § 271.109(b); and
(2) Developing a technology implementation plan pursuant to § 271.109(c).
(b) [Reserved]
§ 271.219   Implementation and support training plan.
(a) An RRP plan shall contain a training plan describing the railroad's processes, pursuant to § 271.111, for training employees with significant responsibility for implementing and supporting the RRP (including employees of a person identified pursuant to § 271.205(a)(3) as performing significant safety-related services on the railroad's behalf or utilizing significant safety-related services provided by the railroad for railroad operations purposes who have significant responsibility for implementing and supporting the railroad's RRP).
(b) The training plan shall describe the content of the RRP training for each position or job function identified pursuant to § 271.225(b)(3) as having significant responsibilities for implementing the RRP.
§ 271.221   Involvement of railroad employees process.
An RRP plan shall contain a description of the railroad's processes for involving railroad employees in the establishment and implementation of an RRP pursuant to § 271.113. If a railroad contracts out significant portions of its operations, the contractor and the contractor's employees performing the railroad's operations shall be considered employees for the purposes of this section.
§ 271.223   Internal assessment process.
(a) An RRP plan shall describe the railroad's processes for conducting an internal assessment of its RRP pursuant to subpart E of this part. At a minimum, this description shall contain the railroad's processes used to:
(1) Conduct an internal assessment of its RRP;
(2) Internally report the results of its internal assessment to railroad senior management; and
(3) Develop improvement plans, including developing and monitoring recommended improvements (including any necessary revisions or updates to the RRP plan) for fully implementing the railroad's RRP, complying with the implemented elements of the RRP plan, or achieving the goals identified in the railroad's RRP plan pursuant to § 271.203(c).
(b) [Reserved]
§ 271.225   RRP implementation plan.
(a) An RRP plan shall describe how the railroad will implement its RRP. A railroad may implement its RRP in stages, so long as the railroad fully implements the entire RRP within 36 months of FRA's approval of the plan.
(b) At a minimum, a railroad's implementation plan shall:
(1) Cover the entire implementation period;
(2) Contain a timeline describing when certain implementation milestones will be achieved. Implementation milestones shall be specific and measurable;
(3) Describe the roles and responsibilities of each position or job function that has significant responsibility for implementing the railroad's RRP or any changes to the railroad's RRP (including any such positions or job functions held by a person that enters into a contractual relationship with the railroad to either perform significant safety-related services on the railroad's behalf or to utilize significant safety-related services provided by the railroad for railroad operations purposes); and
(4) Describe how significant changes to the RRP may be made.
§ 271.301   Filing and approval.
(a) Filing. A railroad shall submit one copy of its RRP plan to the FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
(b) Filing timeline. (1) A Class I railroad shall submit its RRP plan no later than August 16, 2021.
(2) A railroad with inadequate safety performance shall submit its RRP plan no later than 180 days after receiving final written notification from FRA that it shall comply with this part, pursuant to § 271.13(d), or no later than August 16, 2021, whichever is later.
(3) A railroad that the STB reclassifies or newly classifies as a Class I railroad shall submit its RRP plan no later than 90 days following the effective date of the classification or reclassification or no later than August 16, 2021, whichever is later.
(4)(i) Before submitting an RRP plan for FRA's review and approval, a voluntarily-compliant railroad shall notify FRA of its intent to submit an RRP plan by providing written notice to the FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
(ii) The date that FRA receives a voluntarily-compliant railroad's written notice or February 18, 2021, whichever is later, serves as the date on which the voluntarily-compliant railroad may start compiling or collecting information solely for the purpose of planning, implementing, or evaluating a risk reduction program, as described by § 271.11.
(iii) A voluntarily-compliant railroad shall submit its RRP plan no later than 180 days after FRA receives written notice that the voluntarily-compliant railroad intends to submit an RRP plan for review and approval.
(c) RRP plan requirements. An RRP plan submitted by a railroad shall include:
(1) The signature, name, title, address, and telephone number of the chief official responsible for safety and who bears the primary managerial authority for implementing the submitting railroad's safety policy. By signing, this chief official is certifying that the contents of the RRP plan are accurate and that the railroad will implement the contents of the program as approved by FRA;
(2) The contact information for the primary person responsible for managing the RRP;
(3) The contact information for the senior representatives of any person that the railroad has determined has entered into a contractual relationship with the railroad to either perform significant safety-related services on the railroad's behalf or to utilize significant safety-related services provided by the railroad for railroad operations purposes (including host railroads, contract operators, shared track/corridor operators, and other contractors); and
(4) As required by § 271.207(d), a statement describing how it consulted with its directly affected employees on the contents of its RRP plan. Directly affected employees have 30 days following the railroad's submission of its proposed RRP plan to file a statement under § 271.207(e)(2).
(d) Approval. (1) Within 90 days of receipt of an RRP plan, or within 90 days of receipt of each RRP plan submitted before the start of railroad operations, FRA will review the proposed RRP plan to determine if it sufficiently addresses the required elements. This review will also consider any statement submitted by directly affected employees pursuant to § 271.207(e).
(2) FRA will notify the primary contact person of the submitting railroad in writing whether FRA has approved the proposed plan and, if not approved, the specific points in which the RRP plan is deficient. FRA will also provide this notification to each individual identified in the service list accompanying the consultation statement required under § 271.207(d).
(3) If FRA does not approve an RRP plan, the submitting railroad shall amend the proposed plan to correct all identified deficiencies and shall provide FRA a corrected copy no later than 90 days following receipt of FRA's written notice that the submitted plan was not approved. If FRA determines that the necessary corrections are substantively significant, it will direct the railroad to consult further with its directly affected employees regarding the corrections. If the corrections are substantively significant, a railroad will also be required to include an updated consultation statement, along with its resubmitted plan, pursuant to § 271.207(d). Directly affected employees will also have 30 days following the railroad's resubmission of its proposed RRP plan to file a statement addressing the substantively significant changes under § 271.207(e). Within 60 days of receipt of a corrected RRP plan, FRA will review the corrected RRP plan to determine if it sufficiently addresses the identified deficiencies.
(4) Approval of a railroad's RRP plan under this part does not constitute approval of the specific actions the railroad will implement under its RRP plan and shall not be construed as establishing a Federal standard regarding those specific actions.
(e) Electronic submission. All documents required to be submitted to FRA under this part may be submitted electronically pursuant to the procedures in appendix B to this part.
§ 271.303   Amendments.
(a) Consultation requirements. (1) For substantive amendments, a railroad shall follow the process, described in its RRP plan pursuant to § 271.209, for consulting with its directly affected employees and submitting a consultation statement to FRA. The requirements of this paragraph (a)(1) do not apply to non-substantive amendments ( e.g., amendments that update names and addresses of railroad personnel).
(2) If a railroad and its directly affected employees cannot reach agreement on the proposed contents of a substantive amendment, the directly affected employees may file a statement with FRA under the procedures in § 271.207(e)(1). A railroad's directly affected employees have 15 days following the railroad's submission of a proposed amendment to submit the statement described in this paragraph.
(b) Filing. (1) A railroad shall submit any amendment(s) to its approved RRP plan to FRA's Associate Administrator not less than 60 days before the proposed effective date of the amendment(s). The railroad shall file the amendment(s) with a cover letter outlining the proposed change(s) to the approved RRP plan.
(2) If the proposed amendment is limited to adding or changing a name, title, address, or telephone number of a person, FRA approval is not required under the process of this section, although the railroad shall still file the amended RRP plan with FRA's Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer. These proposed amendments may be implemented by the railroad upon filing with FRA. All other proposed amendments must comply with the formal approval process described by this section.
(c) Review. (1) FRA will review a proposed amendment to an RRP plan within 45 days of receipt. FRA will then notify the primary contact person of the railroad regarding whether FRA has approved the proposed amendment. FRA will also provide this notification to each individual identified in the service list accompanying the consultation statement required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section. If not approved, FRA will inform the railroad and the individuals identified in the service list of the specific points in which the proposed amendment is deficient.
(2) If FRA has not notified the railroad and the individuals identified in the service list by the proposed effective date of the amendment whether the amendment has been approved or not, the railroad may implement the amendment, subject to FRA's decision.
(3) If a proposed RRP plan amendment is not approved by FRA, no later than 60 days following the receipt of FRA's written notice, the railroad shall either provide FRA a corrected copy of the amendment that addresses all deficiencies noted by FRA or notice that the railroad is retracting the amendment.
§ 271.305   Reopened review.
Following approval of an RRP plan or an amendment to such a plan, FRA may reopen review of the plan or amendment, in whole or in part, for cause stated.
§ 271.307   Retention of RRP plans.
(a) Railroads. A railroad shall retain at its system and division headquarters one copy of its RRP plan and each subsequent amendment to that plan. A railroad may comply with this requirement by making an electronic copy available.
(b) Inspection and copying. A railroad shall make a copy of the RRP plan and each subsequent amendment available to representatives of FRA or States participating under part 212 of this chapter for inspection and copying during normal business hours.
§ 271.401   Annual internal assessments.
(a) Beginning with the first calendar year after the calendar year in which FRA approves a railroad's RRP plan pursuant to § 271.301(d), the railroad shall annually ( i.e., once every calendar year) conduct an internal assessment of its RRP.
(b) The internal assessment shall determine the extent to which the railroad has:
(1) Achieved the implementation milestones described in its RRP plan pursuant to § 271.225(b);
(2) Complied with the implemented elements of the approved RRP plan;
(3) Achieved the goals described in its RRP plan pursuant to § 271.203(c);
(4) Implemented previous internal assessment improvement plans pursuant to § 271.403; and
(5) Implemented previous external audit improvement plans pursuant to § 271.503.
(c) A railroad shall ensure that the results of its internal assessments are internally reported to railroad senior management.
§ 271.403   Internal assessment improvement plans.
(a) Within 30 days of completing its internal assessment, a railroad shall develop an improvement plan that addresses the findings of its internal assessment.
(b) At a minimum, a railroad's improvement plan shall:
(1) Describe recommended improvements (including any proposed revisions or updates to the RRP plan the railroad expects to make through the amendment process described in § 271.303) that address the findings of the internal assessment for fully implementing the railroad's RRP, complying with the implemented elements of the RRP plan, achieving the goals identified in the railroad's RRP plan pursuant to § 271.203(c), and implementing previous internal assessment improvement plans and external audit improvement plans;
(2) Identify by position title the individual who is responsible for carrying out the recommended improvements;
(3) Contain a timeline describing when specific and measurable milestones for implementing the recommended improvements will be achieved; and
(4) Specify processes for monitoring the implementation and evaluating the effectiveness of the recommended improvements.
§ 271.405   Internal assessment reports.
(a) Within 60 days of completing its internal assessment, a railroad shall submit a copy of an internal assessment report to the FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
(b) This report shall be signed by the railroad's chief official responsible for safety and who bears primary managerial authority for implementing the railroad's safety policy. The report shall include:
(1) A description of the railroad's internal assessment;
(2) The findings of the internal assessment;
(3) A specific description of the recommended improvements contained in the railroad's internal assessment improvement plan, including any proposed amendments the railroad intends to make to the railroad's RRP plan pursuant to § 271.303; and
(4) The status of the recommended improvements contained in the railroad's internal assessment improvement plan and any outstanding recommended improvements from previous internal assessment improvement plans.
§ 271.501   External audits.
FRA will conduct (or cause to be conducted) external audits of a railroad's RRP. Each audit shall evaluate the railroad's compliance with the elements of its RRP required by this part. A railroad shall make documentation kept pursuant to its RRP plan available for inspection and copying by representatives of FRA or States participating under part 212 of this chapter upon request. FRA will provide a railroad written notice of the audit results.
§ 271.503   External audit improvement plans.
(a) Submission. Within 60 days of receiving FRA's written notice of the audit results, if necessary, a railroad shall submit for approval an improvement plan addressing any instances of deficiency or non-compliance found in the audit to the FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and Chief Safety Officer, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
(b) Requirements. At a minimum, an improvement plan shall:
(1) Describe the improvements the railroad will implement to address the audit findings;
(2) Identify by position title the individual(s) responsible for carrying out the improvements necessary to address the audit findings; and
(3) Contain a timeline describing when milestones for implementing the recommended improvements will be achieved. These implementation milestones shall be specific and measurable.
(c) Approval. If FRA does not approve the railroad's improvement plan, FRA will notify the railroad of the plan's specific deficiencies. The railroad shall amend the proposed plan to correct the identified deficiencies and provide FRA a corrected copy no later than 30 days following receipt of FRA's notice that the proposed plan was not approved.
(d) Status reports. Upon the request of the FRA Associate Administrator, a railroad shall provide FRA for review a status report on the implementation of the improvements contained in the improvement plan.
§ 271.601   Definitions.
As used in this subpart—
Contributing factor means a circumstance or condition that helps cause a result.
Fatigue means a complex state characterized by a lack of alertness and reduced mental and physical performance, often accompanied by drowsiness.
Fatigue-risk analysis means a railroad's analysis of its operations that:
(1) Identifies and evaluates the fatigue-related railroad safety hazards on its system(s) and;
(2) Determines the degree of risk associated with each of those hazards.
FRMP means a Fatigue Risk Management Program.
FRMP plan means a Fatigue Risk Management Program plan.
Safety-related railroad employee means:
(1) A person subject to 49 U.S.C. 21103, 21104, or 21105;
(2) Another person involved in railroad operations not subject to 49 U.S.C. 21103, 21104, or 21105;
(3) A person who inspects, installs, repairs or maintains track, roadbed, signal and communication systems, and electric traction systems including a roadway worker or railroad bridge worker;
(4) A hazmat employee defined under 49 U.S.C. 5102(3);
(5) A person who inspects, repairs, or maintains locomotives, passenger cars, or freight cars; or
(6) An employee of any person who utilizes or performs significant railroad safety-related services, as described in § 271.205(a)(3), if that employee performs a function identified in paragraphs (1) through (5) of this definition.
§ 271.603   Purpose and scope of a Fatigue Risk Management Program (FRMP).
(a) Purpose. The purpose of an FRMP is to improve railroad safety through structured, proactive processes and procedures a railroad subject to this part develops and implements. A railroad's FRMP shall systematically identify and evaluate the fatigue-related railroad safety hazards on its system, determine the degree of risk associated with each hazard, and manage those risks to reduce the fatigue that its safety-related railroad employees experience and to reduce the risk of railroad accidents, incidents, injuries, and fatalities where the fatigue of any of these employees is a contributing factor.
(b) Scope. A railroad shall:
(1) Design its FRMP to reduce the fatigue its safety-related railroad employees experience and to reduce the risk of railroad accidents, incidents, injuries, and fatalities where the fatigue of any of these employees is a contributing factor;
(2) Develop its FRMP by conducting a system-wide fatigue-risk analysis that accounts for the varying circumstances of its operations on different parts of its system; and
(3) Employ in its FRMP the fatigue risk mitigation strategies the railroad identifies as appropriate to address those varying circumstances.
§ 271.605   General requirements; procedure.
(a) Each railroad subject to this part shall:
(1) Establish and implement an FRMP as part of its RRP; and
(2) Establish an FRA-approved FRMP plan as a component of a railroad's FRA-approved RRP plan and then update the FRMP plan as necessary as part of the annual internal assessment of its RRP under § 271.401.
(b) A railroad's FRMP plan must explain the railroad's method of analysis of fatigue risks and the railroad's process(es) for implementing its FRMP.
(c)(1) A railroad shall submit an FRMP plan to FRA for approval no later than either the applicable timeline in § 271.301(b) for filing its RRP plan or July 13, 2023, whichever is later; and
(2) A railroad shall submit updates to its FRMP plan under the process for amending its RRP plan in § 271.303.
(d) FRA shall review and approve or disapprove a railroad's FRMP plan under the process for reviewing RRP plans in § 271.301(d) and updates to the railroad's FRMP plan under the process for reviewing amendments to an RRP plan in § 271.303(c). FRA approval of a railroad's FRMP plan amends a railroad's RRP plan to include the FRMP plan as a component.
§ 271.607   Requirements for an FRMP.
(a) In general. An FRMP shall include an analysis of fatigue risks and mitigation strategies described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
(b) Analysis of fatigue risks. A railroad shall conduct a fatigue-risk analysis as part of its FRA-approved FRMP, which includes identification of fatigue-related railroad safety hazards, assessment of the risks associated with those hazards, and prioritization of risks for mitigation. At a minimum, railroads must consider the following categories of risk factors, as applicable:
(1) General health and medical conditions that can affect the fatigue levels among the population of safety-related railroad employees;
(2) Scheduling issues that can affect the opportunities of safety-related railroad employees to obtain sufficient quality and quantity of sleep; and
(3) Characteristics of each job category safety-related railroad employees work that can affect fatigue levels and risk for fatigue of those employees.
(c) Mitigation strategies. A railroad shall develop and implement mitigation strategies to reduce the risk of railroad accidents, incidents, injuries, and fatalities where fatigue of any of its safety-related employees is a contributing factor. At a minimum, in developing and implementing these mitigation strategies, a railroad shall consider the railroad's policies, practices, and communications related to its safety-related railroad employees.
(1) Policies. A railroad shall consider developing and implementing policies to reduce the risk of the exposure of its safety-related railroad employees to fatigue-related railroad safety hazards on its system. At a minimum, a railroad shall consider these policies:
(i) Providing opportunities for identification, diagnosis, and treatment of any medical condition that may affect alertness or fatigue, including sleep disorders;
(ii) Identifying methods to minimize accidents and incidents that occur as a result of working at times when scientific and medical research have shown increased fatigue disrupts employees' circadian rhythms;
(iii) Developing and implementing alertness strategies, such as policies on napping, to address acute drowsiness and fatigue while an employee is on duty;
(iv) Increasing the number of consecutive hours of off-duty rest, during which an employee receives no communication from the employing railroad or its managers, supervisors, officers, or agents; and
(v) Avoiding abrupt changes in rest cycles for employees.
(2) Practices. A railroad shall consider developing and implementing operational practices to reduce the risk of exposure of its safety-related railroad employees to fatigue-related railroad safety hazards on its system. At a minimum, a railroad shall consider these practices:
(i) Minimizing the effects on employee fatigue of an employee's short-term or sustained response to emergency situations, such as derailments and natural disasters, or engagement in other intensive working conditions;
(ii) Developing and implementing scheduling practices for employees, including innovative scheduling practices, on-duty call practices, work and rest cycles, increased consecutive days off for employees, changes in shift patterns, appropriate scheduling practices for varying types of work, and other aspects of employee scheduling to reduce employee fatigue and cumulative sleep loss; and
(iii) Providing opportunities to obtain restful sleep at lodging facilities, including employee sleeping quarters provided by the railroad carrier.
(3) Communication. A railroad shall consider developing and implementing training, education, and outreach methods to deliver fatigue-related information effectively to its safety-related railroad employees. At a minimum, a railroad shall consider communications regarding employee education and training on the physiological and human factors that affect fatigue, as well as strategies to reduce or mitigate the effects of fatigue, based on the most current scientific and medical research and literature.
(d) Evaluation. A railroad shall develop and implement procedures and processes for monitoring and evaluating its FRMP to assess whether the FRMP effectively meets the goals its FRMP plan describes under § 271.609(b).
(1) The evaluation shall include, at a minimum:
(i) Periodic monitoring of the railroad's operational environment to detect changes that may generate new hazards;
(ii) Analysis of the risks associated with any identified hazards; and
(iii) Periodic safety assessments to determine the need for changes to its mitigation strategies.
(2) A railroad shall evaluate newly-identified hazards, and hazards associated with ineffective mitigation strategies, through processes for analyzing fatigue risks described in the railroad's FRMP plan.
(3) Any necessary changes not addressed prior to a railroad's annual internal assessment must be included in the internal assessment improvement plans required under § 271.403.
§ 271.609   Requirements for an FRMP plan.
(a) In general. A railroad shall adopt and implement its FRMP through an FRA-approved FRMP plan, developed in consultation with directly affected employees as described under § 271.207. A railroad FRMP plan must contain the elements described in this section. The railroad must submit the plan to FRA for approval under the criteria of subpart D.
(b) Goals. An FRMP plan must contain a statement that defines the specific fatigue-related goals of the FRMP and describes strategies for reaching those goals.
(c) Methods —(1) Analysis of fatigue risk. An FRMP plan shall describe a railroad's method(s) for conducting its fatigue-risk analysis as part of its FRMP. The description shall specify:
(i) The scope of the analysis, which is the covered population of safety-related railroad employees;
(ii) The processes a railroad will use to identify fatigue-related railroad safety hazards on its system and determine the degree of risk associated with each fatigue-related hazard identified;
(iii) The processes a railroad will use to compare and prioritize identified fatigue-related risks for mitigation purposes; and
(iv) The information sources a railroad will use to support ongoing identification of fatigue-related railroad safety hazards and determine the degree of risk associated with those hazards.
(2) Mitigation strategies. An FRMP plan shall describe a railroad's processes for:
(i) Identifying and selecting fatigue risk mitigation strategies; and
(ii) Monitoring identified fatigue-related railroad safety hazards.
(3) Evaluation. An FRMP plan shall describe:
(i) A railroad's processes for monitoring and evaluating the overall effectiveness of its FRMP and the effectiveness of fatigue-related mitigation strategies the railroad uses under § 271.607; and
(ii) A railroad's procedures for reviewing the FRMP as part of the annual assessment of its RRP under § 271.401 and for updating the FRMP plan under the process for amending its RRP plan under § 271.303.
(d) FRMP implementation plan. A railroad shall describe in its FRMP plan how it will implement its FRMP. This description must cover an implementation period not to exceed 36 months, and shall include:
(1) A description of the roles and responsibilities of each position or job function with significant responsibility for implementing the FRMP, including those held by employees, contractors who provide significant FRMP-related services, and other entities or persons that provide significant FRMP services;
(2) A timeline describing when certain milestones that must be met to implement the FRMP fully will be achieved. Implementation milestones shall be specific and measurable;
(3) A description of how the railroad may make significant changes to the FRMP plan under the process for amending its RRP plan in § 271.303; and
(4) The procedures for consultation with directly affected employees on any subsequent substantive amendments to the railroad's FRMP plan. The requirements of this section do not apply to non-substantive amendments ( e.g., amendments that update names and addresses of railroad personnel).